Quantum computing harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems too difficult for classical computers. A qubit, the basic unit of information in a quantum computer, can exist in superpositions of states allowing quantum computers to test an exponential number of solutions simultaneously. This enables quantum algorithms to find solutions to problems like protein folding that would take classical computers thousands of years to solve. While quantum computing promises vast speedups, challenges remain in developing algorithms, maintaining the extremely cold temperatures needed, and scaling to larger numbers of qubits.